Presentation to Parks & Environment Committee October 15, 2009 Parks, Forestry & Recreation/Toronto Public Health
Toronto s 11 swimming beaches are a key feature of the city s waterfront and they contribute significantly to the quality of life for all Torontonians
Joint report from PF&R and Toronto Public Health recommends changes to the Municipal Code regarding how and when residents can access City Beaches with their dogs Recommended approach offers balanced solution for both residents with dogs wishing to enjoy Toronto s beaches and those without
Lifeguarded, beach water quality monitored, maintenance levels high Blue Flag: Hanlan s Point Gibraltar Point Centre Island Ward s Island Cherry Woodbine Kew-Balmy Non-Blue Flag: Marie Curtis East Sunnyside Bluffer s Rouge
But the dogs are important
Level of microbiological contamination in beach water correlates with adverse health conditions including: Gastrointestinal illness Skin infections Ear, nose and throat infections Recent research also suggests that microbial contamination of beach sand may also play a role in human illness
Combined Sewer Overflows Surface run off Wild birds Domestic Pets
Improve water quality (and lower health risks) by addressing all major sources of microbial contamination Combined Sewer Overflows & Surface run off Eastern and Western Beaches Tunnels Wild birds Population control; landscaping; feeding by-laws; border collies; beach grooming Domestic Pets Limiting access to beach in bathing season; encouraging responsible pet ownership;by-laws for leashing and waste clean up;
Access of dogs to beaches only outside of swimming season Adequate number of garbage bins for disposal of dog feces Signs to alert about health hazards and encourage responsible pet ownership Clean and groom beaches before swim season
Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks Prohibits dogs at all times from the City s seven designated Blue Flag Beaches Permits dogs on-leash to use the City s four non-blue Flag swimming beaches throughout the year
International certification program for quality beaches Blue Flag criteria does not ban dogs on beaches, but regulations controlling dogs and other domestic animals must be strictly enforced
Request to address the impacts of Blue Flag status on dogs, on and off-leash, on Blue Flag designated beaches, and specifically Kew Balmy Beach
Proposed Changes Provide seasonal access for dogs onleash at all 11 of the City s swimming beaches and prohibit access at other times with the exception of working dogs that provide a service to the City
Current and Proposed Conditions Blue Flag Swimming Beaches CURRENT No dogs allowed anytime PROPOSED Dogs now allowed onleash during winter (Nov. 1 - Mar. 31) Non-Blue Flag Swimming Beaches CURRENT Dogs allowed on-leash year-round PROPOSED Dogs only allowed onleash during winter (Nov. 1 - Mar. 31)
Residents with dogs have significant access to City beaches Of the 24.4 km of public beach (sand and cobble), 5.5 km. is supervised swimming beach (Blue Flag + non Blue Flag) and 18.9 km is unsupervised beach which includes 1.1 km/18.7 acres of permanently designated off-leash areas
Approach is in line with the practices in other large North American waterfront cities Similar approach in New York City which provides seasonal access on-leash at most, but not all sites Los Angeles and Chicago are more restrictive and provide one or two off-leash sites only Orchard Beach, NYC
Dogs on-leash would be allowed on the City s seven Blue Flag beaches seasonally (November 1 to March 31), whereas they are now prohibited at all times Dogs would continue to be welcome on-leash at the City s other four swimming beaches (those that have not yet attained Blue Flag status) from November 1 to March 31, but, upon approval, would be prohibited during the spring and summer (April 1 to October 31) Residents with dogs could continue to access 18.9 km of unsupervised beaches those not designated for swimming throughout the year Residents with dogs would continue to have access to three permanently designated off-leash areas along the waterfront - Cherry Beach (10.9 ac) Kew Gardens (5.9 ac), Silverbirch (2.0 ac).
Balanced approach meets needs of all beach users while generally improving dog access Consistent approach one set of rules for all swimming beaches Protects public health, assures clean, safe beaches during bathing season Aligns with Blue Flag program and beach management practices elsewhere Helps achieve Council s objective of flying Blue Flags at all swimming beaches